In morning staff worship we learned something pretty cool. In the gospel of Mark, there is a story about Jesus going to the synagogue on the Sabbath. There is a man with a withered hand present. The pharisees are watching eagerly to see if Jesus will unlawfully heal on the Sabbath.
Jesus calls the man forward and then asks the religious leaders a question. "It is lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save a life or to kill?"
I have always thought to myself, well that is kinda silly and extreme. Not healing him isn't evil. Not healing him won't kill him. Why the extreme measures?
Turns out that the Jews of that time had a common saying that not doing good when you had a chance to was evil. That purposefully not helping someone when you could was the same thing as killing them. Now I understand Jesus' statement.
Jesus took the pharisees' own words and turned them against them. Jesus was right to be so angry with the pharisees for their hardened hearts. He didn't hesitate then to turn and do that which the pharisees claimed was right (at least in words). He healed the man's withered hand.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The Good with the Bad
Dear bloggers,
I must ask for your indulgence. Typically I try to leave out the negative and useless parts the belong in a diary alone. I want you to see my life through learning eyes and an upbeat heart. This post is not to be... but maybe through writing I will find for myself the lesson that needed to be learned. Or in the case of past experience, relearned.
Today is the only day all week that I teach classes. And then I am only teaching sophomore and freshmen classes. I was informed that all other classes (co-teaching and junior) were either studying for midterms or taking midterms.
I was also informed there would be guests on campus to see how the different classes were going. Particularly the English program the school is running. Thankfully, my classes would be spared as I was new here and still a bit overwhelmed. I would not have to worry about important people visiting my room.
My literature class today started out as expected. The students begging for study time because of the finals they had the rest of the week. I told them I would compromise with them (I already planned this but oh well) and would simply review the 5 elements of a good reader. Instead of continuing our story, they could then study instead. It went well. Each group of tables sent up a representative. I took the last one as there are only four groups. They told what their element was. I repeated and extended what they said. Then I let them have study time. There isn't much to do when they are studying other subjects. Since those subjects are in Korean, I can't help them really either. So I gathered up the material I had for that class and went to my office to put them away. The office has a glass front so I could see what my students are doing and I left the door open. I was only there ten seconds.
Then disaster struck.
I turned and headed to my open office door and was leaving as my Korean teacher who helps me came to get me. There were strangers in black suits in my room looking observant and wise. The visitors had come to my room after all! They came in and I wasn't in the room. They came in and the students were talking in Korean. They came in and there wasn't a lesson in progress. Oh the horror of it all.
I went to the board and rewrote the five main elements. The students who had come up before returned to the front of the classroom (rather smoothly too), and I got another student to come up to take my part in the 5 element review. Then we redid the review.
Before we finished the last one of the guests had watched and left. We all collapsed in relief and smiles. Some the students were outright laughing. I made them finish the review and then put the microphone the students had used away.
The students had enjoyed it. My Korean teacher and I were mortified. Found out later that the guests had high praise for both my room and the other English room they visited. It all ended well. I was, however, a nervous wreck for the next couple hours. It took awhile to calm down.
Lesson Learned:
1. Be flexible.
2. Be prepared to teach a class at all times.
3. Be prepared for visitors at all times.
4. Just because you feel like you messed up doesn't mean the world is about to end.
5. Did you kill anyone? No? Good. Keep up the hard work.
I must ask for your indulgence. Typically I try to leave out the negative and useless parts the belong in a diary alone. I want you to see my life through learning eyes and an upbeat heart. This post is not to be... but maybe through writing I will find for myself the lesson that needed to be learned. Or in the case of past experience, relearned.
Today is the only day all week that I teach classes. And then I am only teaching sophomore and freshmen classes. I was informed that all other classes (co-teaching and junior) were either studying for midterms or taking midterms.
I was also informed there would be guests on campus to see how the different classes were going. Particularly the English program the school is running. Thankfully, my classes would be spared as I was new here and still a bit overwhelmed. I would not have to worry about important people visiting my room.
My literature class today started out as expected. The students begging for study time because of the finals they had the rest of the week. I told them I would compromise with them (I already planned this but oh well) and would simply review the 5 elements of a good reader. Instead of continuing our story, they could then study instead. It went well. Each group of tables sent up a representative. I took the last one as there are only four groups. They told what their element was. I repeated and extended what they said. Then I let them have study time. There isn't much to do when they are studying other subjects. Since those subjects are in Korean, I can't help them really either. So I gathered up the material I had for that class and went to my office to put them away. The office has a glass front so I could see what my students are doing and I left the door open. I was only there ten seconds.
Then disaster struck.
I turned and headed to my open office door and was leaving as my Korean teacher who helps me came to get me. There were strangers in black suits in my room looking observant and wise. The visitors had come to my room after all! They came in and I wasn't in the room. They came in and the students were talking in Korean. They came in and there wasn't a lesson in progress. Oh the horror of it all.
I went to the board and rewrote the five main elements. The students who had come up before returned to the front of the classroom (rather smoothly too), and I got another student to come up to take my part in the 5 element review. Then we redid the review.
Before we finished the last one of the guests had watched and left. We all collapsed in relief and smiles. Some the students were outright laughing. I made them finish the review and then put the microphone the students had used away.
The students had enjoyed it. My Korean teacher and I were mortified. Found out later that the guests had high praise for both my room and the other English room they visited. It all ended well. I was, however, a nervous wreck for the next couple hours. It took awhile to calm down.
Lesson Learned:
1. Be flexible.
2. Be prepared to teach a class at all times.
3. Be prepared for visitors at all times.
4. Just because you feel like you messed up doesn't mean the world is about to end.
5. Did you kill anyone? No? Good. Keep up the hard work.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Town Trips
So I got to go into town today with a friend. Not just a nearby village. Not just a nearby town. No, I went to a big city. Daegu.
Walked to Namsan, was going to catch a bus to Jain but someone pulled up outside the bus stop and gave us a ride straight to Gyeongsan. From there took a subway to downtown Daegu. That was kinda fun. The ride from the guy knocked down our trip in from 2.5 hours to a lot less. Don't worry. He knew us and Linda recognized him.
Still learning the Korean alphabet and just how to say Korean names but less remember them. So this trip was a learning experience on that end. It was also a learning experience in being able to get around.
We had stopped at a market in Gyeongsan. It went on for blocks and blocks with tables and such set up all over. There was fruits, vegetables, fish and other marine things, footwear, bedding, clothes, toys, bakery goods, and so much more. A fellow at a bakery stand full of cookies offered us a sample. I tried one that looked like one type of cookie you can get in a Christmas tin around Christmas at Walmart. It tasted the same too. I excitedly bought some, and as a freebie the fellow selling them kindly an extra scoopful of another cookie for us to try.
In Daegu we went to Papa Johns. The pizza was amazing. The chicken on it was a tad spicier than I could handle, barely finished the second slice. Then we slipped into a bookstore where I looked anxiously among the English selection for a favorite author - Mercedes Lackey. They didn't have her, but they had Lee Child and Nora Roberts.
From there we went underground. A lot of Daegu can't be seen from the outside because it is under the streets and buildings. A huge mall. I was lost in seconds, so depended on the friend who was with me for guidance. We looked at some neat stores. The theater is on the top floor... and oh the escalators going up stack above each other floor after floor after floor. So high up, I about panicked. The top floor, outside the theater, had coffee shops all the way along the walkway. No Starbucks surprisingly enough. There were some arcades on the opposite side and yet more coffee shops. None of the English movies were playing till later and we didn't want to stick around that long.
So back down the scary escalator paradise. There we took a break at a favorite store: Krispy Kreme donuts! I haven't been to one of these in a long time as the ones in the USA are slowly selling out. Then we headed outside and began walking through downtown. Wow, block after block of high skyscrapers covered in colorful signs and shops. Eventually we ended up at ColdStone and took a break.
Then back to the subway where I practiced finding the appropriate track. Reading the Korean words in the English alphabet is getting easier. Then we stopped at an E Mart before taking a bus towards the school. Had to get a taxi the last leg of the way.
Something really cool is a subway card. You can use it to ride the subway, buses, and supposedly several other things. It is like a debit card. You buy it. You put money on it. Then you just scan it whenever you go anywhere. Makes traveling easier, and if you know how to use it right you save money when transferring between buses and the subway.
Walked to Namsan, was going to catch a bus to Jain but someone pulled up outside the bus stop and gave us a ride straight to Gyeongsan. From there took a subway to downtown Daegu. That was kinda fun. The ride from the guy knocked down our trip in from 2.5 hours to a lot less. Don't worry. He knew us and Linda recognized him.
Still learning the Korean alphabet and just how to say Korean names but less remember them. So this trip was a learning experience on that end. It was also a learning experience in being able to get around.
We had stopped at a market in Gyeongsan. It went on for blocks and blocks with tables and such set up all over. There was fruits, vegetables, fish and other marine things, footwear, bedding, clothes, toys, bakery goods, and so much more. A fellow at a bakery stand full of cookies offered us a sample. I tried one that looked like one type of cookie you can get in a Christmas tin around Christmas at Walmart. It tasted the same too. I excitedly bought some, and as a freebie the fellow selling them kindly an extra scoopful of another cookie for us to try.
In Daegu we went to Papa Johns. The pizza was amazing. The chicken on it was a tad spicier than I could handle, barely finished the second slice. Then we slipped into a bookstore where I looked anxiously among the English selection for a favorite author - Mercedes Lackey. They didn't have her, but they had Lee Child and Nora Roberts.
From there we went underground. A lot of Daegu can't be seen from the outside because it is under the streets and buildings. A huge mall. I was lost in seconds, so depended on the friend who was with me for guidance. We looked at some neat stores. The theater is on the top floor... and oh the escalators going up stack above each other floor after floor after floor. So high up, I about panicked. The top floor, outside the theater, had coffee shops all the way along the walkway. No Starbucks surprisingly enough. There were some arcades on the opposite side and yet more coffee shops. None of the English movies were playing till later and we didn't want to stick around that long.
So back down the scary escalator paradise. There we took a break at a favorite store: Krispy Kreme donuts! I haven't been to one of these in a long time as the ones in the USA are slowly selling out. Then we headed outside and began walking through downtown. Wow, block after block of high skyscrapers covered in colorful signs and shops. Eventually we ended up at ColdStone and took a break.
Then back to the subway where I practiced finding the appropriate track. Reading the Korean words in the English alphabet is getting easier. Then we stopped at an E Mart before taking a bus towards the school. Had to get a taxi the last leg of the way.
Something really cool is a subway card. You can use it to ride the subway, buses, and supposedly several other things. It is like a debit card. You buy it. You put money on it. Then you just scan it whenever you go anywhere. Makes traveling easier, and if you know how to use it right you save money when transferring between buses and the subway.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
2 Corinthians
I recently started reading 2 Corinthians. While doing so, I underlined things I found meaningful and impressed by. After a few chapters, I was impressed to go back and take most of those things underlines and sent it to a friend. Here is part of what I sent, with a few editorial corrections :)
2 Corinthians was written to remind you that you are strongest when weak and suffering whether is be from rejection, suspicion, or prejudice. It is meant to uplift those whom false accusations are made against. Paul was accused of being too worldly, not having ministerial credentials, being weak, not being charismatic enough, and such. This book is meant for those accused falsely. It is meant for those facing the closing time frame of Earth's time.
1:4 "We may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted BY GOD"
3:3 "clearly you are an epistle of Christ... written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God"
3"4,5 "and we have such trust through Christ towards God... our sufficiency is from God."
4:1 "Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart"
4:6 "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to GIVE the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ"
4:8 "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair"
5:5 "God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee" ... 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight"
5:18 "Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation"
5:20 "we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us"
When I first looked at this book to read, I knew there was something in here for you. This morning was the first time I felt like something clicked inside. I went back over what I had underlined and most of it seemed like it was for you, not me.
So I am going to summarize.
You are able to understand other people better than most because you have also been through really hard events. God is using you to teach others about Him (which says a lot because He is so amazing). You know you can trust Him to take care of you. You can do things normally impossible because He is helping you - every step of the way. So keep walking. God gave you a ministry, a mission to do. You may not always know what it is, but trust in Him to guide you even then. You are called to bring peace. All you and others know of God, He taught you. No matter what happens, you will survive because He is watching out for you personally. His Spirit is inside of you... guiding you. That alone is proof that He won't leave you. This is all from Christ... He gave you a special ministry. A ministry unique for you, but universal with all Christians in that you must be willing to forgive others and bring peace to those around you. You are His ambassador. And you are NOT alone.
2 Corinthians was written to remind you that you are strongest when weak and suffering whether is be from rejection, suspicion, or prejudice. It is meant to uplift those whom false accusations are made against. Paul was accused of being too worldly, not having ministerial credentials, being weak, not being charismatic enough, and such. This book is meant for those accused falsely. It is meant for those facing the closing time frame of Earth's time.
1:4 "We may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted BY GOD"
3:3 "clearly you are an epistle of Christ... written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God"
3"4,5 "and we have such trust through Christ towards God... our sufficiency is from God."
4:1 "Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart"
4:6 "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to GIVE the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ"
4:8 "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair"
5:5 "God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee" ... 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight"
5:18 "Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation"
5:20 "we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us"
When I first looked at this book to read, I knew there was something in here for you. This morning was the first time I felt like something clicked inside. I went back over what I had underlined and most of it seemed like it was for you, not me.
So I am going to summarize.
You are able to understand other people better than most because you have also been through really hard events. God is using you to teach others about Him (which says a lot because He is so amazing). You know you can trust Him to take care of you. You can do things normally impossible because He is helping you - every step of the way. So keep walking. God gave you a ministry, a mission to do. You may not always know what it is, but trust in Him to guide you even then. You are called to bring peace. All you and others know of God, He taught you. No matter what happens, you will survive because He is watching out for you personally. His Spirit is inside of you... guiding you. That alone is proof that He won't leave you. This is all from Christ... He gave you a special ministry. A ministry unique for you, but universal with all Christians in that you must be willing to forgive others and bring peace to those around you. You are His ambassador. And you are NOT alone.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Speghetti
So I really wanted my own food. Even if it wouldn't taste completely like home (their sauces here, though not spicy, are definitely different. Sweeter in a lot of cases.) I have the ingredients now to make pasta, but what about implements.
I, armed with advice from Linda, used the skillet to boil water with. It is high enough on the sides to do the trick. Then when it was done boiling, I drained my pasta very carefully. See I don't have a strainer too. Several spoons utilized like chopsticks did a lot better than I feared. Then it is a matter of combining sauce and cheese. Voila! Food!
Things are different. However they are doable. Sometimes it is just a matter of being creative and willing to be flexible. Running and complaining at every snag gets you know where. When you are in difficult situations that conventional methods are not feasible, then think outside the box.
I, armed with advice from Linda, used the skillet to boil water with. It is high enough on the sides to do the trick. Then when it was done boiling, I drained my pasta very carefully. See I don't have a strainer too. Several spoons utilized like chopsticks did a lot better than I feared. Then it is a matter of combining sauce and cheese. Voila! Food!
Things are different. However they are doable. Sometimes it is just a matter of being creative and willing to be flexible. Running and complaining at every snag gets you know where. When you are in difficult situations that conventional methods are not feasible, then think outside the box.
Groceries
Went into town today to get groceries. Needed them quite a bit. Have a three day weekend ahead of me.
I wanted to make speghetti. Sadly, the sauce isn't the same as in America. What I wouldn't give for prego. Anyrate, got my noodles and sauce. I really like a little cheese in my pasta so went to get some. Not only did I get cheese... but it had an extra packet of cheese taped to it so I got another smaller bag of it for free! Love shopping in Korea!
I went with a friend and we decided to walk back. It is a 5 minute drive. However walking is an hour. We were just starting out when someone stopped and said he knew us. So my friend and I climbed in (Korea is a strangely trusting place) and he questioned us as to if we knew his daughter who goes to our school. Kinda... but not in our classes so not really.
Thankfully nothing horrible happened from going with that stranger. He was who he said he was. We didn't have to walk that far, though we were willing. And I can make my own food! Now to go get that cheese out :)
I wanted to make speghetti. Sadly, the sauce isn't the same as in America. What I wouldn't give for prego. Anyrate, got my noodles and sauce. I really like a little cheese in my pasta so went to get some. Not only did I get cheese... but it had an extra packet of cheese taped to it so I got another smaller bag of it for free! Love shopping in Korea!
I went with a friend and we decided to walk back. It is a 5 minute drive. However walking is an hour. We were just starting out when someone stopped and said he knew us. So my friend and I climbed in (Korea is a strangely trusting place) and he questioned us as to if we knew his daughter who goes to our school. Kinda... but not in our classes so not really.
Thankfully nothing horrible happened from going with that stranger. He was who he said he was. We didn't have to walk that far, though we were willing. And I can make my own food! Now to go get that cheese out :)
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Studious
My students are very much focused on doing well on their grades. Midterms are next week, so all they do is study. They stop only to go to class, eat, and walk between buildings.
A lot of students are pulling all nighters. Today in class, since International classes do not count for an actual grade nor do we do midterms, I played a video on the Phoenicians. All but one student was asleep within minutes. I didn't wake them up. There was no need. If I had given study time, they would have studied. I'm worried about their basic needs of which one is sleep. They know this particular content because we spent several days on it. This was simply an extension of that so that they were more exposed to English.
They are only in middle school yet work this hard. I admire them, but wouldn't trade my life for theirs. I like who I am and know that my own experiences shaped me into who I am today. They experiences will shape them as well. It is my job to make sure they can get there... knowing more English if possible.
A lot of students are pulling all nighters. Today in class, since International classes do not count for an actual grade nor do we do midterms, I played a video on the Phoenicians. All but one student was asleep within minutes. I didn't wake them up. There was no need. If I had given study time, they would have studied. I'm worried about their basic needs of which one is sleep. They know this particular content because we spent several days on it. This was simply an extension of that so that they were more exposed to English.
They are only in middle school yet work this hard. I admire them, but wouldn't trade my life for theirs. I like who I am and know that my own experiences shaped me into who I am today. They experiences will shape them as well. It is my job to make sure they can get there... knowing more English if possible.
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